Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Up in the wild blue yonder

People come to the Hamptons for many reasons, the most common of which include our beautiful clean beaches and sweet little villages. Others come to golf, sail, hike, explore history, or just relax and enjoy it all. But this last weekend we had guests at A Butler's Manor who were on the East End to do something I had heretofore been unaware one could do out here: Skydive.

Liam and Laura were our thrillseekers, and this is Laura here in the picture, showing some mock attitude but actually loving every second of her (approximately) 60-second freefall before the parachute kicked in. The company that offers the experience is Skydive Long Island in Calverton (about 25 miles northwest of us). I knew nothing about skydiving (and my fear of heights is such I'm not likely to try it anytime soon), so was fascinated to learn that a first time jump is always a tandem jump (seen here) with an experienced professional; Laura's jump instructor has clocked over 14,000 jumps!! Also, notice the hands in the bottom of the picture. That's the photographer (you were wondering about this already, right?) who jumps with you...he has a video camera, plus some sort of TeleTubby-looking camera on his head that takes a strobe series of still photos, like this one. The cameraman can't launch his parachute until AFTER you do (otherwise it would get in the way of his photography of you). Now that's thrill-seeking!

Needless to say, Liam and Laura's description of their jump was THE topic over breakfast the next morning!! Still, they said that the next time they come stay, they're going to skip the sky and just enjoy the blue of the pool!

(PS: Doesn't the East End look cool from way up there!)

Quote of the Day: May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. --Edward Abbey

2 comments:

Now that I've learned to follow a blog, I just may be cool enough to sky dive in the Hamptons! Love, love, love your blog page. Plus, with your busy schedule,it helps me keep up with you. Glad your foot is better. Marguerite

That sounds cool. We have a similar thing here where you can go tandem hang gliding so that an expert is in charge of the hang glider (just like your parachute experience) and you can enjoy the ride. Come visit us in the rainforest! http://myblog.rainforestinn.com Maybe we will be able to stay in your beautiful place which appears to be quit a bit fancier than ours :) - Bill & Laurie

Voted One of the Top 100 Blogs in Hospitality!

Follow by Email

Labels

Search This Blog

April

Summer!!

Spring at last!

About Us

A Butler's Manor is a bed and breakfast located in Southampton Village, New York, in the heart of the Hamptons. Our gracious 1860 Colonial house has five guest rooms and is listed on both the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places. For more details, photos, or to check availability online, check our website at www.abutlersmanor.com

Followers

Blogs & sites that "innspire" us

About Me

Co-owner & chef, A Butler's Manor B&B; and author of three nonfiction books: A BUTLER'S LIFE: SCENES FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SILVER SALVER...A BUTLER'S MANOR: THE COOKBOOK...and WEDDING WONDERS, and two suspense novels, BLOOD EXPOSURE and NET STALKER, and a contemporary novel, CHOICE.